Nestlé reported ‘strong’ growth of its plant-based brands when it delivered its full year results. But, CEO Mark Schneider stressed, the opportunity is much bigger than meat-free burgers or bangers.
Givaudan’s flavour business, Givaudan Taste & Wellness, is launching a new tool that leverages artificial intelligence for the ‘next generation’ of product development. “Success comes from combining the output of the tools with the sensitivity and...
As the pandemic nears the one-year mark, food and beverage companies face increased pressure to maintain new consumers gained during the pandemic while also engaging additional shoppers over record household penetration increases in the last year – a...
Danone is coming under increasing investor pressure to invigorate its brands – an effort that requires innovation and investment. The group’s International CEO, Véronique Penchienati-Bosetta, says that the company’s new ‘Local First’ strategy will deliver...
Sales of organic and Fairtrade certified products continued to shine in 2020 as concerns over the climate impact of food production and the COVID-19 crisis put ethical consumerism in the spotlight.
In the UK, 2020 saw frozen fish sales surge in retail, while premium seafood struggled to find its way onto restaurant diners’ plates. What do experts predict for the post-COVID ‘new normal’? And how can brands make the most of this changing retail landscape?...
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) is an internationally recognised method of identifying and managing food safety risk. In an area that is both strictly regulated and highly complex, setting up an HACCP system requires a ’great knowledge’...
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, UK artisan chocolate brand Montezuma’s commissioned food anthropologist Caroline Hobkinson to predict food industry trends over the next two decades with a specific focus on chocolate.
SwissDeCode has closed its first venture round. The funds will be used to accelerate development of its technology for real-time certification of food authenticity and quality. We caught up with the start-up’s co-founders to learn about the company’s...
Quantis is launching geoFootprint, a digital tool that the company describes as the ‘first’ to use satellite technology to map the environmental impact of food production on an interactive map. The innovation holds the key to ‘smarter, science-driven...
What key challenges are in store for supermarket retailers as we move into 2021? Will bricks-and-mortar continue to play an important role? Do experts predict e-commerce to continue its unprecedented boom?
COVID-19 has accelerated interest in the role that automation, robotics and data can play in food and agricultural production. We speak to industry leaders to learn about the latest developments.
French food brand C’est qui le Patron, which translates to ‘Who’s the Boss’ in English, asks consumers to select which ingredients, production methods, and quality of products they want…and then makes it happen.
Arla is fast tracking its plans to become European dairy market leader for e-commerce and aims to double its sales via its customers’ online platforms to €600m ($729m) across Europe.
The Spanish National Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA) has issued a report looking at the trends that shaped R&D in 2020 and how it expects these to define the sector in 2021.
Dutch ethical brand Tony’s Chocolonely is inviting international chocolate makers to join its transparent supply chain platform in order to create a more sustainable cocoa industry.
Operations expert Victoria Cobos joined General Mills in early November, as the company grappled with the challenges of COVID-19 and the fast-approaching Brexit deadline. We caught up with her to learn what the Supply Chain Director’s priorities are moving...
By the year 2030, trend forecaster Dr Morgaine Gaye predicts much will have changed in terms of how food is consumed: supermarkets will be forced to diversify, urban areas will be transformed by biodiversity legislation, and we will be on our to using...
Smart labels that use state of the art technology to give shoppers a host of new information about products could create a direct line of communication between consumers and producers and help foster a new era of trust between them, according to a new...
The Kraft Heinz Company’s recently released ‘transformation plan’ detailed the group’s strategy to deliver consistent growth, with top line gains led by its international business. FoodNavigator speaks to International Zone President, Rafa Oliveira, to...
In the short-term, JollyGut aims to simplify and personalise the shopping experience for consumers both in-store and online. In the long-term, CMO Dmitry Dubovik says the start-up is setting its sights further afield: “We want to become an Amazon for...
An IoT, blockchain, and AI-powered digital food supply chain platform is being developed to boost the traceability of ingredients in pre-packaged sandwiches.
UCC is the first operator in the UK to partner with the IBM Blockchain-powered platform, which aims to enhance traceability, efficiency, and sustainability in coffee and cacao supply chains.
DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences is advancing its innovation strategy through a partnership with non-profit research organisation the Institute for the Future (IFTF). The collaboration targets ‘far sighted’ innovation and will allow the company to ‘better...
Fi Europe is a red-letter event for the European food sector. This year, COVID-19 means things will be a little different. But the need to share ideas and innovation – as well as networking and business opportunities – has ‘never been more important’.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) is stepping up its programme to attract food-tech companies that are developing solutions across ‘land, sea and space’ to the region. ADIO Director General His Excellency Dr Tariq Bin Hendi tells FoodNavigator that...
The Agri-TechE REAP 2020 conference has heard the call for collaboration between international ag-tech innovators and producers to leverage ‘global scale’ to create ‘real change’ that will support the development of a more sustainable food system.
Nestlé announced this week that it has acquired a majority stake in UK meal kit service Mindful Chef. The news follows on the heels of a deal in the US to take control of recipe box supplier Freshly. What opportunities - and challenges - will Nestlé’s...
Gousto has partnered with Unilever-owned spread brand Marmite to deliver recipe innovation that the recipe box company hopes will draw in consumers new to the category.
Rabobank recently unveiled the start-ups that will take part in its virtual FoodBytes! Pitch 2020 competition. Those selected provide an interesting window into trending topics in food and agriculture. FoodNavigator speaks to Anne Greven, Global Head...
Dark kitchens, direct-to-consumer sales and online ordering have been given a significant boost by to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. It is incumbent that as food businesses innovate and find new routes to market to stay afloat in these...
Today’s consumers expect heightened levels of traceability – particularly when it comes to meat. Dutch retailer Albert Heijn is working with its suppliers and DNA testing expert IdentiGEN to provide shoppers with certainty around the meat they eat.
Startups selected to participate in Rabobank’s virtual FoodBytes! Pitch competition this fall provide a neat snapshot into trending topics in food and agriculture, from alternative proteins and upcycled ingredients, to edible cutlery, relaxation beverages,...
FTW Ventures, an early-stage VC, has launched a new fund to support food and agri-tech start-ups that it believes can disrupt the sector. FoodNavigator speaks to founder and entrepreneur Brian Frank about the tech and trends he believes will come to the...
Olam Cocoa has achieved 100% traceability for directly sourced cocoa across its global supply chain. FoodNavigator speaks to Andrew Brooks, Head of Sustainability, to learn more about reaching this milestone and the work that lies ahead to move the cocoa...
Princes is leveraging blockchain developments to improve traceability and communicate its sourcing story to customers and consumers. Starting with its Napolina brand – but with plans for a further rollout – the company is working with Provenance to communicate...
Early life nutrition – from pregnancy to around two years – is a ‘critical period’ that can ‘positively influence health for a lifetime’, Danone Senior Medical Affairs Manager of Specialised Nutrition UK & Ireland, Zoe Ellis, tells FoodNavigator....
UK-based online grocer Farmdrop saw ‘skyrocketing’ demand during the coronavirus lockdown – and the company believes its unique business model and digital technology means this is no flash-in-the-pan.
Occupyd is an online ‘property’ marketplace that connects businesses and individuals looking to rent an inexpensive workspace with those looking to maximise their income during downtime.
Climate change is putting food safety at risk and action is needed to prepare the food system for the challenges ahead, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). FoodNavigator speaks to the FAO’s Vittorio Fattori, Food Safety and...
Latvian dairy company Food Union Group is investing to position itself for future growth, with a focus on production capabilities, food tech and market-led innovation. FoodNavigator speaks to CEO Normunds Staņēvičs to find out more.
With COVID-19 exposing fragile food chains and putting scrutiny on the ways we consume and produce foods and approach our own health, now is the perfect moment for food tech startups to step up and lead the way, says venture capitalist and entrepreneur...
The ‘world’s first’ robotic farm has attracted funding from the UK government, a move Farms Minister Victoria Prentis said would support innovation to tackle the food sector’s ‘greatest challenges’.
Technological advances are transforming the food sector – and nowhere is this more evident than in the field of food safety. FoodNavigator caught up with Alex Bromage, Food Safety and Quality Director at Tetra Pak, to find out what innovations he is getting...
Sustainability sells. This has given rise to scepticism among consumers that brands are ‘greenwashing’ their environmental claims. Radical transparency could be the cure.
A new AI platform has been created to help food businesses manage the risk of COVID-19 in their workforce. We spoke to the platform’s developer to find more.
